Pastor’s Thoughts Feb 8 ,2024 through Feb. 16-2024 from God Squad post
LOVE THE HURTING:
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14
We have a world full of hurting people who need love. I am one. So are you. To some degree, we have all been hurt. Maybe it is by selfish parents…or uncaring institutions…or cutting relationships…or an isolating and alienating society…but we have all been hurt. Jesus shows a love for hurting people: “and He was moved with compassion for them.” The Greek word used here for that loving compassion means literally “to have the inward parts moved with great feeling.” The deepest part of Jesus’ emotional capacity was, and still is, turned in sincere feeling for the hurting of our world—you and me included. Today, let us each ask the Lord to make us a reflection of His life…to make us sensitive to the hurts of those around us. Are you willing to care like that? Is it your prayer to be made that way? ❤️–Jack Hayford
NOTHING TOO HARD: Jeremiah 32:27: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?”
We often have a difficult time seeing how all the pieces of God’s plan fit together. He leads us down a path and we fail to see the purpose…especially when the enemy begins to attack. We want to fight back…but God says to patiently trust Him and pray. We want to determine a solution and solve the problem…but God says to love Him with all our heart and share His love with others.
The times in which we are most tested and pressed down ought to be the times of greatest growth and closeness with our Heavenly Father. When it seems we have nowhere else to turn…we ought to rejoice and trust Him even more! Let’s put our life firmly in His Hands and submit to His guidance — even when we may not see where we are going or how we will get there. Let’s trust His ways and always remember…for God, there is NOTHING too hard! ❤️ — Steve Troxel
EXPECT GOD’S GOODNESS: The enemy amplifies our fears. He makes a big deal out of our weaknesses. He exaggerates our troubles. He lies about our worth. Enough with him, already!
Oh, magnify the Lord with me! Let us exalt His Name together!
He is greater than our fears and stronger than our enemy.
He is mighty to save and brilliant in power.
He’s a chain breaker and a dream maker!
Turn a deaf ear to the enemy. Refuse to rehearse his threats. Lift up your eyes to Jesus this day. He’s a miracle-working God…and He has no rival. We are secure in Him!! ❤️
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV) ~ I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! –Susie Larson
GO FOR JESUS HIMSELF: So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. Luke 24:15
I love the fact that of all the words God could have chosen to call this beautiful meal, He chose the word Communion. It speaks of the relationship God wants to have with us, the closeness and intimacy He desires to have with us.
I know it can be easy to lose sight of that and even see the Communion as a means to an end, especially when you are battling symptoms in your body. But as you continue to come to the Lord’s Table, don’t just go after the healing and miss the One who prepared the table for you.
Pursue the Healer and not just the healing.
Pursue the Blesser and not just the blessing.
When you have Him, you have everything.
The journey to Emmaus took place the same day our Lord Jesus rose bodily from the grave. What was so important to the Lord that He would do it on the day of His resurrection?
The resurrected Christ did this: “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”—Luke 24:27Later the two disciples said to each other, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
I pray that by the grace of God…you will see in the Scriptures…not a list of rules and regulations…not knowledge that puffs up the intellect…but things concerning Himself. I pray that your heart burns within you as you see Jesus in the Scriptures and you experience His deep, personal love for you as never before. I pray that you will feel Jesus Himself drawing near to you, lavishing His love on you, and imparting to you all you need. And beyond what He can do for you or your loved one…beyond healing for that condition you might have been battling with…I pray that you have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Himself. ❤️—Joseph Prince
CHOOSE JOY: Choose joy today…because in Christ Jesus, you’re stronger than you know!
Engage your faith today…because God moves when you pray in faith.
Walk confidently today…because Jesus paid a high price for your soul. You matter deeply to Him.
Show compassion today…because you’ve received such compassion from God Himself.
You’re wrapped up in God’s promises…strengthened by His care…and called by His divine will. Everything you need you already have in Him.
Have a holy-confident, humbly joyful day today! The joy of the Lord is your strength! ❤️
Romans 15:13 (ESV) ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. –Susie Larson
FINDING TRUE REST: God is faithful to deliver those who trust Him for help.
Psalm 62:1-2: ”My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.“
Have you ever carried a heavy object for so long that your arms start to burn from its weight? You count the steps until you can finally set it down, and when you do, relief floods your body as the pain subsides. We can feel something similar in our spirit when we surrender our burdens to the Lord.
David understood this kind of relief well. With his enemies in relentless pursuit, he was forced to hide to save his life. The weight he carried was evident as he cried out in distress, “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). Yet, through his extended season of challenges, David experienced God’s faithfulness as well as His consolation in the anguish.
Remembering that God is faithful will bring release from the weight of our worries. So let’s hold to the perspective that God is at work…and keep our eyes fixed on the solution rather than the problems. Then, like David, we will be able to say, “I will not be greatly shaken” (62:2).
While we are learning to release our burdens, let’s be sure to talk to God in prayer (Psalm 62:8)…wait in hope for Him (Psalm 62:5)…and never forget that He is our rock and salvation (Psalm 62:2). That is true relief! ❤️—Charles Stanley
YOU GOT THE JOY: May the wonder of Christ’s love and the miracle of His redemption sweep you off your feet and ignite your faith once again!
Dare to look away from your discouragements…and look toward your Deliverer who truly makes all things new.
May your heart of faith beat once again for the promises God has made to you.
Pick up the cause of faith and march forward…knowing God has your back…He’s gone before you…and He’s placed His hand of blessing upon your head (Psalm 139:5).
Awaken to joy today! Embrace faith today! Pray like you have a God in heaven who hears you and moves when you pray…because you do! ❤️
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) ~ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
OFF THE THRONE: Many of us today recognize Jesus and clearly see our need…but we fear losing the ability to direct our own path. The thought of releasing control seems unbearable. Somehow, we’ve been taught that submission equates to failure. But the reality is that true “success” is only found in Christ…and true comfort is only obtained by being set free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.
Jesus was, and always will be, very threatening to those who insist on sitting on a throne. It’s foolishness to think Jesus will accept the position of Co-King. Those who attempt to enter a relationship with Jesus while trying to maintain their “right to rule” will never really know Him…and certainly never experience His peace.
Jesus will give Himself to “whoever believes in Him” (John 3:13). But in return, He asks for our total devotion: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We give Him proper worship – the worship He deserves – only as we submit and exalt Him above all else; “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).
Let’s ensure our relationship with Jesus is aligned with God’s plan. He is the rightful Ruler and King – the Savior and Lord! Let’s trust and worship Him with all our heart and refuse to be threatened by His right to lead. Let’s decide once and for all to relinquish control…and get our pride-filled self off the throne. ❤️
—Steve Troxel
surrender=freedom
freedom=peace